POLICE have welcomed the lengthy custodial sentences imposed on convicted drug dealers from Northwich and Winsford.
Stephen O’Brien, 22 and 19-year-old Jonathan Stott were locked up for a combined stretch of nine years and two months after being found guilty of possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.
The pair were sentenced at Warrington Crown Court on Tuesday, April 7.
Northwich officers raided a flat at Chapel Court, off London Road, on September 30 last year and recovered about £200 worth of class A drugs.
But during the trial it was revealed the pair were peddling about £1,000-worth of heroin and crack a day over a three-month period.
Cheshire police spokeswoman Shelley Williams said: “The prosecution proved they were organising a large scale supply of class A drugs on a daily basis over a period of three months.
“We welcome the sentences imposed. This sends out a strong message to those who consider drug dealing to be a lucrative way of life that drug use and distribution will not be tolerated.
“Drug addiction is a major contributing factor to the level of crime in any given area and, sadly, it seems there are still people who are willing to supply drugs and complete an extremely vicious circle.”
O’Brien, of Saxon Crossway, Winsford – formerly of Granville Drive, Leftwich – was given a five-and-a-half year sentence for drug dealing, plus another 12 months for burgling a house on Middlewich Road, Winsford, in October.
Stott, of Rowan Road, Weaverham, was jailed for 32 months on Tuesday, April 7.
Bethany Moran, 19, of Chapel Court, was arrested alongside the pair after the raid in September. She pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and was ordered to carry out community service.
